Summary:
“My Last Duchess” is a dramatic monologue by Robert Browning, where the Duke of Ferrara speaks to an emissary about a portrait of his late wife. He reveals his arrogance and possessiveness as he recounts how he ordered the death of his wife, whom he perceived to be too easily pleased and overly friendly with others. The poem is set in the Duke’s private art gallery, where the portrait of the Duchess is displayed. Through his conversation, we learn that the Duke is not only an insecure and controlling individual but also a man who sees women as objects to be owned and controlled. The poem reveals the Duke’s narcissism and his belief in his superior status.
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| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | My Last Duchess |
| Poet | Robert Browning |
| Year Written | 1842 |
| Year Published | 1842 |
| Poem Type | Dramatic Monologue |
| Verse Form | Rhymed Couplet |
| Setting | The Duke’s private art gallery, Ferrara, Italy |
| Main Character | The Duke of Ferrara |
| Theme | Power, control, jealousy, and the objectification of women |
| Tone | Arrogant, controlling, sinister |
| Famous Quote | “That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall.” |
| Narrative Voice | The Duke’s perspective (dramatic monologue) |
| Main Conflict | The Duke’s control over his wife and her subsequent death |
| Structure | 28 rhymed couplets |
| Legacy | One of Browning’s most famous dramatic monologues |